Orthopedic device.



A. L. MURPHY.

ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-20,1913.

1 1 98,947 v Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

uuawtoz 32mm P M y a Roi/nu UNIT ANNIE L. IVIURPI-IY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE.

mosaic.

Application filed December 20, 1913.

To (1 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANNIE L. lVTURIHY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Orthopedic Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to orthopedic devices, and particularly to a device for reducing bunions; and it has for its primary object the provision of a device of this character for materially relieving the affected part of the foot of the excessive pressure of the shoe thereagainst and against the inflamed parts of the foot with a resulting decrease in the size of the toe joints and for correcting any distorted position of the toe and restoring the same to its normal position, and further, the provision of a device of this character which will prevent the unsightly bulging and creasing or sagging of the shoe in the vicinity of the affected parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will serve to eifectually reduce the pain and discomfort caused by the falling in of the shoe and its bearing against the aii'ected part of the foot, and further, the provision of such form of device which may be worn without disfiguring the shoe.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a plan view of a foot, showing the application of the device thereto and illustrating conventionally the outline of a shoe about the foot; Fig. 2 is a section, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

The device is constructed of soft rubber or any other equivalent yieldable or cushioning material, which will tend, to a desirable de ree, to retain its intended form or shape for a maximum period of time. The device preferably includes an outer cushion 1 and an inner cushion 2, which are connected with each other by an intermediate hollow cushion 3 of soft rubber that is adapted to engage over the toe so as to hold the device in applied position. The two cushions 1 and 2 preferably merge into each Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 807,986.

other along their upper surfaces so as to provide an uninterrupted and substantially flat and pliable portion 4:. The cushion 1, along its upper surface is curved upwardly at 5 and then outwardly, as at 6, while along its side and upon its outer surface the cushion is gradually curved downwardly at 7 and then inwardly at 8. In thus curving the described surfaces of the cushion, the latter is made to conform to the contour of the adjacent portion of the shoe and the surfaces 5 and (5 form a supporting arc immediately in proximity of the affected part of the foot, so as to hold the walls of the shoe against collapsing against said affected part of the foot. The said cushion 1 is of an increased thickness toward its forward end, so that'the great toe will be snugly received in the concavity 9 of the cushion while the longitudinal side of the cushion will gradually merge into the lounion or affected part of the foot, as shown in Fig. 1. In this manner, the sides of the shoe are held against direct engagement with the said affected part of the foot, as will be understood.

The inner cushion 2 is respectively curved on its opposite sides at 10 and 11', so as to accommodate itself to the corresponding shapes of the adjacent sides of the great toe and the second toe as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The second cushion is of a gradually increased width in the direction of its forward end, and it is designed to prevent the undesirable crowding of the toes and to relieve the joint of the strain which as a rule aggravates the affected condition of the foot.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as claimed.

1 claim In a device of the kind described, in combination a soft rubber cushion, said cushion being roughly tubular in shape to provide passage for the great toe of a persons foot, whereby to cause the toe to be completely surrounded by rubber, said cushion arranged to have a portion disposed laterally of said Patented Sept. 1c, 1916.

tubular portion arranged to form a yield able projection, said cushion being also curved downwardly and inwardly at its side whereby to adapt itself to the curvature of the side of the shoe, said cushion being curved on its opposite side whereby to be adapted to the curvature of the adjacent sides of the great toe and adjacent toe, said cushion having the opposite end edges of said concavity thinned out whereby to bear against a bunion, the diameter of said tubular portion being less than sufficient to receive the bunion, a raised portion of said cushion adapted to force the adjacent part of the shoe out of Contact with the bunion.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANNIE L. MURPHY.

Vitnesses:

M. L. DENMAN, H. AMRHEIM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

